Effects of some anti-diabetic plants on the hepatic marker enzymes of diabetic rats

Abstract

This study was embarked upon in order to evaluate the effects of the chloroform extracts of the leaves of Psidium guajava, Anacardium occidentale and Eucalyptus globulus and fruits of Xylopia aethiopica on hepatic marker enzymes of diabetic rats. The degree of hepatic damage caused by diabetes mellitus and the effects of the extracts were assessed using standard methods for assaying the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). All the extracts significantly (p<0.05) decreased the activities of ALT, AST and ALP with that of the P. guajava being the most protective. In addition, the P. guajava extract exerted more hepatoprotection than glibenclamide in terms of the AST and ALP activities. In conclusion, the chloroform extracts of the leaves of A. occidentale, E. globulus and P. guajava as well as the fruits of X. aethiopica exhibited remarkable protective effects on alloxan-induced acute liver damage and thus, may be used for treatment of some liver-associated disorders.

Keyword: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Psidium guajava, Anacardium occidentale, Eucalyptus globulus, Xylopia aethiopica, chloroform extracts, diabetes mellitus.